Valley Stream, NY - January 19, 2015 - Panera Bread, makers of delicious bread items, soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and more, today announced that in celebration of the grand opening of its bakery-café in Valley Stream on Groundhog Day – the first of its four locations to open on Long Island in 2015 – the restaurant will give away free beverages depending on the weather prediction from Staten Island Chuck, resident at the Staten Island Zoo – the official groundhog meteorologist of New York City.

On February 2, Staten Island Chuck – more formally known as Charles G. Hogg – will emerge at 7:30AM where he will observe the weather, look for his shadow and make his prediction. If he sees his shadow, thus indicating six more weeks of winter, Panera Bread, located at 2034 Green Acres Mall, will give away FREE coffee for one month to the first 250 guests beginning at 8:00AM. If Staten Island Chuck does not see his shadow, Panera Bread will offer free iced tea to the first 250 guests beginning at 8:00AM to celebrate that spring is near. Offer will be valid for one month with coupon present, which will be distributed at register. Free beverage coupons are only redeemable at the Valley Stream location.

“We are excited to open our new Panera Bread location at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream,” said Greg George, vice president of operations for Doherty Enterprises, Inc., the Panera Bread franchisee in Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. “As we’re opening on Groundhog Day, we thought we would have a little fun by offering our first 250 free beverages for a month based on Staten Island Chuck’s prediction. Whether Chuck sees his shadow or not, our prediction is that that spring will come early and that people in the Valley Stream area will enjoy better-for-you food options that Panera Bread is known for. We look forward to serving them.”

The Valley Stream Panera Bread will serve breakfast from 7:00AM until 10:00AM Monday through Saturday and 7:00AM through 9:00AM Saturday and Sunday. Lunch and dinner are available until 10:00PM Monday through Saturday; the café closes one hour earlier on Sunday.

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